Welcome To My Home … The Guest

It begins in the heart

What is your intention of visiting? The Companion Omar Ibn AlKhattab related that he heard the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) say: (Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended). Reported by Bukhari and Muslim

Seek to attain the best of this interaction by intending to please Allah through your action to honour ties of kinship (your host maybe a relative), to visit the sick, to congratulate someone on their new arrival and to gain the love of Allah… Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said that Allah (swt) said: My love is established for those who love one another for My sake; and My love is established for those who spend money for My sake; and My love is established for those who visit one another for My sake. (In fact) those who love one another for the sake of Allah will be at pulpits of light in the shade of Allah’s Throne on a day when there is no shade but His shade. Reported in Musnad Ahmad.

Seek permission

Contact your host in advance and check when would be suitable for you to visit. Remember to mention who else will be joining you on the visit.

Accept invitation unless you have a valid reason

It was narrated in Saheeh al-Bukhari (1164) and Saheeh Muslim (4022) that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: (The rights of a Muslim over his fellow Muslim are five: returning greetings, visiting the sick, attending funerals, accepting invitations, and saying Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allah have mercy on you) when he sneezes.)

Remember Allah during your interactions

That does not only help you in increasing your faith but also helps you in refraining from acts of disobedience like gossiping and backbiting. Could you remember Allah the all-forgiving and then talk about how much you hate so and so because they ignored you at the supermarket? Or could you remember that Allah is the all-generous and ignore the needs expressed by your host or a request to help others in need?

Otherwise you are at risk of this: the companion Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘People who get up from an assembly in which they did not remember Allah will be just as if they had got up from a donkey’s carcass, and it will be a cause of grief to them.” Reported in Sunan Abi Dawood

Be considerate in how long you stay

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, (…And it is not lawful for a guest to stay with his host for such a long period as to put him in a critical position.) Reported by Bukhari

Observe the host’s norms and traditions

Some hosts are happy for you to help out, others would rather you stay in the in the guest room. Another consideration is what would appropriate to take if, for example, visiting a sick person or consoling the family of someone who passed away.

Mind your own business!

Don’t snoop around. Please enter and sit where your host asks you to do so and don’t snoop around.

Remember, that you are in someone else’s sanctuary

If you see or hear something private, keep it to yourself and do not broadcast it.

Make dua for the host

O Allah, bless for them, that which You have provided them, forgive them and have mercy upon them